Pigeons Put On The Pill
By Emma Norman
Thousands of Hollywood birds are unknowingly to be fed the contraceptive pill in order to keep their numbers down and the streets clean.No, unfortunately it’s not a California state initiative to reduce the number of self-obsessed, giant handbag and minute dog wielding celebrities that swarm Hollywood’s streets. The unsuspecting birds being slyly fed contraceptives are another form of annoying fowl, pigeons.
In true Hollywood-style outrageousness, the Argyle Civic Association believes slipping pigeons the pill will solve the prolific poop problems that are plaguing the city due to its current pigeon population boom. Around 5,000 pigeons reside in the city, their large numbers being partly due to people feeding them. By adding the birth control to bird food in new rooftop feeders campaigners reckon their numbers could be halved by 2012.
The contraceptive is called OvoControl P and contains the chemical Nicarbazin which inhibits the birds’ egg development and hatching. The Association have the approval of animal rights groups and the US Environmental Protection Agency and say it is more humane than poisons and spiked rooftops. Maybe, but as there is no control over which birds eat the spiked food what are the effects of the pill on male birds? Also as the quantities are unregulated what are the effects of consuming large amounts?
So whilst the dogs are dyed pink and subjected to regular beauty parlour treatments, the pigeons are being force-fed contraceptives. Who’d be an alley cat in Hollywood?
Get more on Emma's page or follow these links:
- Pigeons in the firing line - Army outwitted
- Pigeons studied? - Biofouling: a peculiar periodical
- Pigeons praised - Review of Pigeons by Andrew Blechman
- Pigeons saved - Unsung hero: Carl Jones
Image: Céline Mackowiak
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